Maine leaders making bridge announcement

ORONO, Maine—A composite material that was developed at the University of Maine is now being used to build bridges.

Gov. John Baldacci and other political leaders were in Orono on Friday at an event to announce the commercialization of a material that was developed at the university's Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center.

Friday's announcement highlighted the completion of a composite bridge in Pittsfield and the formation of a spinoff company in Orono to commercialize composite bridge arch technology.

Officials also announced that another company, Brunswick-based Harbor Technologies, will be constructing a 500-foot-long bridge this summer using composite materials.